The Horse 162 



the full sweeping gallop. The one drawback 

 is that neither horse nor rider can stand it for 

 very many miles. For a brief pleasure jaunt, 

 over good roads, the canter is unequalled. In 

 any gait it is curious what a difference it 

 makes whether the horse leads with his right 

 forefoot, or his left. Leading means stepping 

 out with it first. Well-gaited horses are 

 broken to lead with either and to change from 

 one to the other upon the instant, at the snap 

 of the whip. A saddle horse that overreaches, 

 — that is steps further with the hind foot than 

 with the fore one corresponding to it, is al- 

 ways risky. The danger lies in treading upon 

 his own heels, and thus tangling himself so 

 as to stumble or even fall. Crossing the fore 

 feet in motion is even more dangerous. With 

 such action the gallop is always the safest 

 gait, as the horse in galloping moves both fore 

 feet simultaneously. A perfect foot is round, 

 hollow underneath, well open at the heel, but 

 not spraddling, with a clean, live-looking 

 hoof, and soft, elastic skin above the heel, 

 reaching to the fetlocks. A horse goes easi- 

 est and freest unshod, but over hard roads or 

 rocky ones shoeing is essential. 



To judge of a horse's temper and spirit, 

 look at his eye. If it shows much white, let 

 him pass, though he be otherwise the sum and 

 pattern of equine perfection. White-rimmed 



